These pages have been put together for our students to help them with their homework. They are aged between 7 and 11 years. The following pages introduce the Norman invasion on England in simple language. Secondary School children may need to visit their own school's website to find the information they need.

The Norman Invasion of England

The Normaninvasion of England in 1066 is described through the images of the Bayeux Tapestry. The following pages introduce you to the main claimants to the throne and the battles that followed.

The Story behind the Invasion

King Edward lll of England (called "The Confessor" because he built Westminster Abbey) died on January 5, 1066, after a reign of 23 years. Leaving no heirs, Edward's passing ignited a three-way rivalry for the crown that culminated in the Battle of Hastings and the destruction of the Anglo-Saxon rule of England.

Who should be the next King?

Saxon England didn't have any firm rules about who should be King. Basically, when a king died, the crown passed to whoever could: